I’m pretty sure KPOP has been a huge part of many people lives including me. I’ve been addicted into checking out articles, reading news on what my idols are doing, and talking about KPOP to my friends. Of course I’ve been into the scene for more than 6 years already, but KPOP has been fading away from me year after year and I’ve finally realized that it isn’t all that great anymore through studying abroad in Korea.
I’ve been accepted to one of the top 3 schools in Korea (Yonsei University) and of course I know about Korean Culture not just through KPOP but historically and the social standards as well. Before coming here, I had expectations that I would go to all the concerts, and see many idols while I’m here without putting much effort, but I was wrong. 4 months since I’ve lived here and I still haven’t done a single thing related to KPOP except go to one free concert. I travel, explore, and try to have the best time of my life here by meeting new people around the world and making Korean friends. Of course if I want to, I can try to go see my favorite idols, but it’s something that hasn’t crossed my mind since I got here. I still listen to the music, but I’ve just learned to balance my life, and my interest has faded since coming to Korea.
Hanging around many Korean students, of course I already knew, but almost all of them are just like this. They listen to the music (actually K-HipHop is more popular here) but that’s just it, its just music not a form of lifestyle. They love American music just as much as we like KPOP. I also want to point out how many people fantasize and say how their idols are super hot, but when living here, I’ve realized they’re just average. You can find better looking people on the streets any day.
What I’m trying to say through all of this is that don’t make KPOP your whole life and stop imaging South Korea as your getaway place to all things KPOP. South Korea is just another country and I would never want to settle down and live here due to all the social standards and things I’ve been through as a foreigner. It is no Utopia and people would judge you if you come with that mindset. I know many people out there always talk about saying “I want to live in Korea or I want to have a Korean boyfriend” I advise you to stop thinking like that right now and start thinking about your own life/goals and future.